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Configuration File Location

WSL Dashboard stores its configuration files and logs in the current user's home directory by default:

File / DirectoryPathDescription
Config Directory~\.wsldashboard\Root directory for all persistent data
Settings File~\.wsldashboard\settings.tomlAll UI settings, path configurations, etc.
Log Directory~\.wsldashboard\logs\Stores runtime log files

TIP

~ refers to the current Windows user's home directory (typically C:\Users\YourName).

Startup on Boot (/scheduler)

WSL Dashboard provides a reliable startup-on-boot mechanism.

How It Works

When you enable "Launch at startup" in the settings, the application does not simply place a shortcut in the Startup folder. Instead, it creates a high-performance startup task via the Windows Task Scheduler.

  • Silent Launch: When triggered by Task Scheduler, the app is started with the /scheduler argument. This directs the app to launch directly to the system tray in a minimized state, without popping up the main window.
  • Auto-Repair: Every time you manually launch the app, it checks and automatically repairs any broken startup tasks caused by path changes or permission issues, ensuring the auto-start always works.

Available Settings

In the application's "Settings" view, you can adjust the following options:

General

  • Language: Select the UI language (supports Simplified Chinese, English, and 20+ other languages).
  • Default Install Directory: Set the default path for new WSL instances.
  • Launch at startup: When enabled, WSL Dashboard will start with Windows.
  • Minimize to tray on launch: When enabled, the app starts directly to the system tray without showing the main window (silent mode).

Appearance & Behavior

  • Theme: Choose between Light, Dark, or follow the system setting.
  • Close behavior: Set whether clicking the close button "Exits the app" or "Minimizes to tray".
  • Auto-check for updates: Configure how often the app checks for new versions.

Logging

  • Log Directory: Specify where log files are stored.
  • Log Level: Five levels available — Error, Warn, Info, Debug, Trace. Defaults to Info. If you encounter issues, switch to Debug or Trace for more detailed diagnostics.

Configuration File (settings.toml)

All application settings are persisted in ~\.wsldashboard\settings.toml. You may edit this file manually, but it is recommended to use the UI instead.

Resetting Configuration

To reset all settings to their defaults, delete the ~\.wsldashboard directory and restart WSL Dashboard.